‘Wheel of Fortune’ viewers defend contestant after she loses car over technicality
(Picture: ABC.)It came down to only a few seconds that made a giant difference for a contestant on the Wheel of Fortune.
The game show player, Charlene Rubush , ultimately missed out on winning an Audi Q3 SUV due to a technicality—and viewers swear she was robbed.
Rubush was solving a puzzle during the bonus round and only had a few more empty squares to solve but the delivery of her guess cost her the prize.
During her ten seconds, she guessed the phrase “Choosing the right card,” which was wrong. On her second try, she blurted out, “Choosing the right â word,” but not before slightly stumbling on her words.
The phrase was correct, but TV host Pat Sajak told Rubush her answer needed to be more continuous to count. The prize was then revealed to be the car, which she did not receive.
Rubush had pausing for about seven seconds and said “word.”
Watch it for yourself:
Come on @WheelofFortune, the woman literally chose the right word. Give her the car. pic.twitter.com/aAaMyFeEZl
— Alex Jacob (@whoisalexjacob) December 22, 2021
“You know, this one’s tough because you said all the right words, including the word ‘word’ but, as you know, it’s gotta be more or less continuous,” Sajak said.
He added: “We’ll allow for a little pause, but not four or five seconds. I’m sorry. You did a good job in getting it, but we can’t give you the prize, and it was the Audi.”
Online, people defended Rubush and showed their outrage with how the moment was handled.
@ ‘wheel of NO fortune’ you owe that woman a car! She got screwed! @Audi please step up - give Charlene a damn car for #Christmas @WheelofFortune #WheelofFortune #audi #audiA3
— jamie k (@jamiebeth1) December 22, 2021
they cheating that lady out of her audi on wheel of fortune bc she very much guessed it in time …
— azu ♡ (@ilyazuleaa) December 22, 2021
#WheelofFortune robbed that girl of an Audi. Shame.
— Kali 🥥 (@kalicoconuts) December 22, 2021
Wheel of Fortune, you just lost a viewer. "I am choosing the right word" to never watch this show again. #WheelofFortune #choosingtherightword
— TalinOrfaliGhazarian (@TalinOrfaliGhaz) December 22, 2021
I'm done! I'm with that lady. She deserves that Audi! That rule is the most dumbest thing ever! She had it right before the time was up! pic.twitter.com/cwJGhXBaYq
The only “rule” Sajak quoted was she had 10 seconds to answer. Nothing about any pauses. She answered in correct order, no extra words in between. She should get the car!
— Vinny DiTrani (@sageman01) December 22, 2021
Luckily, Audi themselves also saw the commotion that was caused online, and had a special message for Rubush.
"You’re a winner in our eyes, Charlene. Now, let’s get you a prize. Time to #GiveHerTheQ,” the brand wrote.
You're a winner in our eyes, Charlene. Now, let's get you a prize. Time to #GiveHerTheQ3. https://t.co/x0e3j1CqY9
— Audi USA (@Audi) December 22, 2021
All’s well that ends well!
